Human Rights Reporters 
Why do women remain in relationships that repeatedly cause them pain, humiliation, fear, or abuse?
That difficult question will come under the spotlight today as human rights advocate Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor joins media personality Esther Naa Achiaa as a co-panelist for a special discussion on “When Love Hurts: Why Do Women Stay in Toxic Relationships?”
The discussion, to be hosted by Naadu MOST BEAUTIFUL on Homebase TV, is expected to examine the complex realities that often make it difficult for women to leave unhealthy or abusive relationships.
Rather than simply asking why a woman “stays,” the discussion will seek to explore the circumstances and barriers that may keep her in a toxic relationship, including emotional attachment, fear, financial dependence, children, family pressure, social expectations, manipulation, and the hope that an abusive partner will change.
Dr. Wemakor is expected to challenge the tendency to place the burden of responsibility on women who remain in abusive relationships.
According to him, society must move beyond the often-repeated question, “Why doesn’t she just leave?”, and examine the circumstances surrounding the woman’s decision to remain.
The discussion will therefore seek to address a broader question: What is keeping her there, and what can society do to help?
The human rights advocate is also expected to emphasise that relationships involving violence, intimidation, coercion, humiliation, or other forms of abuse should not be treated merely as private domestic matters.
The conversation will touch on issues of human dignity, personal safety, emotional well-being, violence, economic dependence, children, support systems, and the right of every individual to live free from abuse.
The panelists are also expected to examine the role of family members, friends, and communities in supporting women who find themselves in toxic or abusive relationships.
According to Dr. Wemakor, telling a woman experiencing abuse to simply “leave” may overlook the realities she faces.
“Leaving an abusive relationship is not always as simple as telling someone to pack her bags and walk away,” he noted, stressing the need to consider safety, financial circumstances, children, social support, and other factors that may affect a survivor’s ability to leave.
The discussion will further distinguish between ordinary disagreements in relationships and patterns of abusive or controlling behaviour, while examining how some forms of abuse can become normalised within families and communities.
The program is expected to provide an opportunity for viewers to reflect on how society responds to women experiencing unhealthy relationships and whether enough support is available to help them make safe choices.
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